Chapter 842: Obtaining the Fruit

With urgent matters at hand, Han Li naturally wouldn't study the demon core at that moment. With a flip of his hand and a flash of green light, the item vanished without a trace.

Han Li raised his hand again, conjured three empty spirit beast pouches, and pointed a finger at the Gold Devouring Beetles in the air, letting out a long cry.

Immediately, the insect swarm buzzed loudly, transforming into three golden clouds, then all flew back into the three spirit beast pouches, which Han Li collected one by one.

As for the Great Geng Sword Formation, with a thought from Han Li's divine sense, it reverted to thirty-six golden flying swords, which then shrank and vanished into his sleeve.

"Go pick the spirit fruits. Be quick," Han Li said. "I don't know how long the illusion formation I set up earlier can fool the Ghost Spirit Sect cultivators." He then transformed into a green rainbow and shot towards the lake.

Seeing this, Zi Ling hurried to follow.

Their escape lights faded, and Han Li and Zi Ling appeared about a zhang above the spirit herb.

After scanning the top of the spirit herb, Han Li did not rush to pick them. Instead, he turned and calmly said to Zi Ling beside him:

"You go ahead and pick them first; be extra careful! These Spirit Candle Fruits are quite unique; they must be stored in wooden containers, or their medicinal properties won't last for more than a few days."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Han. I will be extra careful," Zi Ling said softly, suppressing the excitement in her heart and giving Han Li a charming smile.

Without hesitation, she flicked her fragrant sleeve, and a jade-green wooden box appeared in her fair hand.

She then extended a jade-like finger and drew a line in the void below.

Immediately, a white light flashed, and a Spirit Candle Fruit instantly dropped.

However, the wooden box in her hand, which she had already prepared, flipped open. A white, ethereal glow swept out from the box, immediately enveloping the spirit fruit and drawing it inside.

Then she brushed her hand over the box, and the lid closed by itself.

After completing all this, Zi Ling finally let out a long breath and carefully placed the box into her storage pouch.

"Oh? Is Miss Zi Ling not taking another one?" Han Li was slightly surprised to see this, a strange expression appearing on his face.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Han," Zi Ling said with a charming smile. "No need, taking just one is enough. This time, apart from gathering some information at the beginning, I didn't exert any effort. It was entirely due to Brother Han's abilities that I obtained this spirit fruit. Although I have some acquaintance with Brother Han, I wouldn't be so shameless as to demand an equal share of this fruit. Brother Han, please take the rest. After all, besides being able to refine Creation Pills, even consuming it raw has other marvelous uses, capable of slightly increasing one's cultivation."

Han Li was somewhat surprised to hear such sensible words from Miss Zi Ling.

To be honest, although this famous beauty of the Scattered Star Seas was charming and captivating, and the most beautiful female cultivator he had ever seen, her schemes were truly profound. After her sect, Miaoyin Gate, was seized, her temperament had become somewhat more obsessive, which made Han Li keep a respectful distance.

But for her to speak so rationally now, whether it was sincere or an intentional attempt to gain his favor, it significantly improved Han Li's impression of her.

After all, facing such heavenly spirit fruits, being able to restrain one's greed was not an easy feat in itself.

"Since Miss Zi Ling has put it that way, then I, Han, will not be polite." Han Li nodded without declining. Immediately, he slapped his waist with one hand, and a white light flashed as a pre-prepared wooden box appeared in his grasp. At the same time, his other hand gently waved.

A burst of green light then descended. Three Spirit Candle Fruits trembled and detached themselves, then sank and were enveloped by the green light.

Han Li slightly guided them with one hand, and the three spirit fruits were collected into the wooden box.

"Let's go! We cannot stay here long, and who knows when the Ghost Spirit Sect members will catch up to this place. Although I don't fear them, I don't want to fight them here. After all, alchemy is more important," Han Li said slowly after putting away the wooden box.

"Of course! Spirit fruits cannot be stored for long," Zi Ling said, blinking her beautiful eyes and pursing her red lips. "But we also can't go back the way we came, or we might encounter the Ghost Spirit Sect members. Why don't we escape for several thousand li in a random direction, then find a secluded spot to refine the pills! As for where to go, Brother Han will naturally decide."

"Where to go..." Han Li frowned and instinctively glanced around.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he pressed one hand onto his storage pouch, and a piece of material resembling silk appeared in his hand. It was precisely the map of the Fallen Demon Valley that Han Li had obtained from the green silkworm robe.

He carefully examined the map, then surveyed and verified the surrounding environment and location. A hint of surprise appeared on his face. The location of this desert seemed not too far from the mark on the map. After flying for another two days beyond this desert, he should be able to reach the location marked on the map.

Looking at the crude markings on the map, Han Li fell into contemplation.

Zi Ling saw that Han Li didn't answer her question but was instead looking at an unknown silk-like object in his hand. She couldn't help but feel a little strange. However, this woman was unusually intelligent and didn't say anything to rush him. Instead, she quietly waited in place for Han Li's decision.

"Follow me. We'll refine the pills first, then talk," Han Li said calmly, having made his decision and put away the map. However, after looking at the spirit herb in front of him, he suddenly frowned and sliced his arm through the air. A green light flashed, and a small segment of branch fell down.

But the moment the branch touched the ground, its branches withered and leaves turned yellow, and it instantly turned into ash.

Han Li saw this scene, and a hint of regret flashed in his eyes.

It seems what was recorded in the ancient texts was true. The spiritual roots of these Spirit Candle Fruits are different from other spiritual trees; they are among the few spiritual trees in this realm that cannot be transplanted at all. Once moved from their original location, the spiritual tree will immediately wither and vanish. They cannot be cultivated artificially.

Han Li no longer hesitated. He raised his hand, released a white light, conjured the Wind-Riding Chariot, and instantly appeared on it.

Seeing this, Zi Ling, without a word, also flew onto the chariot.

A white light flashed, and the Wind-Riding Chariot transformed into a ball of light and shot through the air, becoming a small white speck on the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Han Li had already planned to first find a place midway to refine the Creation Pills, then quickly take them and absorb their medicinal power. After experiencing the miraculous medicinal properties of the Creation Pills and ensuring everything proceeded exceptionally smoothly, he would then go to the place marked on the map for a look, to see what secret treasures might be hidden there.

After all, this map was mysterious; if there were any treasures, they would surely be extraordinary.

As long as it didn't seem too dangerous, Han Li naturally wouldn't easily let go of the place marked on the map.

About an hour later, at the original oasis, the group from the Ghost Spirit Sect finally arrived.

But standing by the lake, gazing at the icy lake that showed no signs of melting and the empty space where the spirit herb once stood, the disciples of the Ghost Spirit Sect exchanged bewildered glances, while Elder Zhong's face turned ashen.

At this moment, Han Li was already a thousand li away, fleeing towards the location marked on the map.

Not long after, the two of them exited the desert area, and before them appeared bluish-yellow plateaus of varying heights.

Seeing this type of terrain, Han Li couldn't help but sigh.

This corner of the Fallen Demon Valley almost encompassed everything; nearly all types of terrain in the world were found within it, truly an incredible matter! He wondered if this terrain was naturally existing in the Fallen Demon Valley, or if it was formed by ancient cultivators who had displayed immense divine abilities.

After another half a day, Han Li, driving the Wind-Riding Chariot, arrived at an area of rolling hills and mountains.

Looking at these not-so-tall mountain peaks, Han Li immediately went several hundred li deep into the mountains, finally finding a seemingly ordinary small mountain peak where he stopped the Wind-Riding Chariot.

"Fellow Daoist Zi Ling, this spot will do! You and I will refine pills separately. I've swept this area with my divine sense; there shouldn't be any ancient restrictions or spatial rifts, so it's relatively safe nearby," Han Li said calmly to Zi Ling, floating at a low altitude near the foot of the mountain.

"Thank you, Brother Han. Then Zi Ling will take her leave first," Zi Ling responded with a smile after briefly glancing around. Her figure then transformed into a dazzling rainbow and swiftly shot towards another nearby mountain peak. It seemed she was preparing to open up a secret chamber to refine pills.

Watching her vanish into the small mountain, Han Li then retracted his gaze. His figure flickered as he phased out of the chariot, standing several zhang away from the Wind-Riding Chariot.

He formed a hand seal with both hands and waved at the chariot. The Wind-Riding Chariot quickly shrank and was directly absorbed into his sleeve.

Han Li then transformed into a green rainbow and shot straight towards the middle of the small mountain before him.

A moment later, with Han Li commanding dozens of flying swords to simultaneously cut through the rock, a simple cave dwelling appeared before him.

At the entrance of the cave, after setting up a small magic formation, Han Li expressionlessly walked into the cave dwelling.

To be cautious, he specifically released seven or eight Core Formation stage puppets to guard behind the cave entrance, preventing any unforeseen circumstances.

This done, Han Li then confidently walked into a secret chamber. He tossed his storage pouch into the air, and guided by his divine sense, numerous pre-prepared auxiliary ingredients for the Creation Pills poured out in a white ethereal glow.

Finally, Han Li also took out the wooden box containing the Spirit Candle Fruits and an antique-looking green cauldron, letting them gently float before him.

Han Li's eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned these items. He took a deep breath and sat down cross-legged on the spot.

Although it was Han Li's first time refining the Creation Pills, with his almost grandmaster-level alchemy proficiency, he was naturally confident. Moreover, for this trip to the Fallen Demon Valley, Han Li had made exceptionally thorough preparations, securing many portions of both the Spirit Candle Fruits as the main ingredient and other auxiliary materials. Even if he failed a few times, it wouldn't matter.

As for whether Zi Ling could use that single Spirit Candle Fruit to refine a Creation Pill, Han Li was not entirely clear, as she had never displayed her alchemy skills in front of him. However, since she only took one spirit fruit, she must have some confidence.

Thinking this, Han Li, however, stared unblinkingly at the small, gently spinning cauldron before him.

Suddenly, he opened his mouth, and a streak of green infant flame shot out, circling the small cauldron once before enveloping it with a "poof" sound and beginning to burn fiercely.